PEOPLERiccardo Parin

Riccardo Parin

Research Group Leader
terraXcube

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About

Riccardo Parin received hir Masters degree in Energy Engineering (2015) and PhD in Industrial Engineering (2018) at the University of Padova, Italy. His PhD work focused on experiments on two-phase heat transfer processes on nano-structured metal surfaces with different wettablities under the supervision of Prof. Davide Del Col. In 2019-2020 he worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Sydney in the School of Chemistry in the group of Prof. Chiara Neto and in collaboration with Prof. Martijn de Sterke (Physics Department), working on the ACWA (Advanced Capture of Water from the Atmosphere) project. The project focused on developing a low-cost method to capture enough water from the atmosphere to alleviate the effect of drought by providing water for consumption by humans and animals, and for irrigating plants. Author of different scientific journal articles and winner of the CDIP fund of the University of Sydney.

Scientific Publications

Journal article2026

Passively Cooled Paint-Like Coatings for Atmospheric Water Capture

Chiu M, Theau E, Harrison A, Terpstra J, Parin R, Sterke CM, Alexander TJ, Neto C

Riccardo Parin

Atmospheric water capture has the potential to alleviate water scarcity around the world and works by condensing water vapor onto a cold surface. However, actively cooling a surface requires substantial energy. The application of large scale (20 × 20 cm²) porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropene) (PVDF-HFP) coatings is reported with ultra-high total solar reflectance (96%) and emittance (95% in the atmospheric window), which can passively cool 6°C below ambient temperature when exposed to the sky, even under direct sun. When the coating cools below the dew point, it harvests water from the atmosphere through condensation of droplets. Thanks to the application of a smooth UV-resistant topcoat promoting water droplet roll-off, 390 mL/m²/day of water could be collected, entirely passively. A longitudinal six-month study demonstrates that the coatings are functional, robust, and suited to long-term outdoor deployment. The minute-by-minute recording of the surface cooling, water capture and weather factors over 6 months, allow to identify the major factors impacting the surface performance in Sydney, Australia, and a theoretical model extends the water capture prediction to the rest of Australia. These insights will advance cool roof coatings, and advance the provision of sustainable, delocalized and low-cost sources of water from the atmosphere.

DOI

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202519108

Conference proceedings article2025

1st International Workshop on Real and Virtual Spaces Influences (ReViSI)

Battistel L, Kim K, Parin R, Zampini M, Bruder G, Welch GF

Riccardo Parin, Laura Battistel

The International Workshop on Real and Virtual Spaces Influences (ReViSI) promotes a multidisciplinary dialogue on the interplay between real and virtual environments, addressing the central question: how do these domains influence one another? The workshop seeks to advance understanding of whether real-world stimuli can enhance presence in Extended Reality (XR) and how virtual stimuli may reshape perceptions of the physical world. Topics of interest include enhancing presence and social presence in XR through congruent real-virtual environments, identifying best practices for integrating real-world elements to enrich XR experiences, and exploring the potential of real-world stimuli to improve, for instance, training and rehabilitation outcomes in virtual reality. Additionally, the workshop examines how virtual stimuli can alter real-world perception and identifies sensory modalities most affected by virtual stimuli. By addressing these themes, the workshop aims to contribute novel insights to the growing field of real-virtual synergy and its applications.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1109/VRW66409.2025.00107

Journal article2025

Characterization of the Spray System of the TerraXcube Icing Wind Tunnel

Avi A, Becce L, Quaranta G, Mazzetto F, Parin R

Riccardo Parin

In recent years, the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles has shown great technological progress, and many new applications were born. To assess the potential of this technology and to improve the availability and reliability of the rising services it is critical to overcome operational limitations. One key operational hazard is atmospheric in-flight icing, resulting in large aerodynamic penalties, unbalances and other detrimental phenomena that can sometimes lead to catastrophic consequences. In this paper, a new ice tunnel developed in the large hypobaric and climatic chamber of the terraXcube facility of Eurac will be presented. Following a preliminary characterization of the nozzles employed in the tunnel by shadowgraphy at the Free University of Bolzano, a characterization and calibration of the spray system has been performed following the EASA
regulation reported in the Easy Access Rules for Large Rotorcraft (CS-29).

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1007/s42496-024-00224-6

Journal article2025

Dropwise-to-filmwise transition during condensation of steam on hydrophilic surfaces

Tancon M, Abbatecola A, Bortolin S, Facco L, Parin R, Del Col D

Riccardo Parin

Dropwise condensation (DWC) is a two-phase heat transfer process that is expected to achieve heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) several times higher as compared to filmwise condensation (FWC). Usually, low-wettability coatings are required to promote DWC on metallic surfaces. However, recent studies suggest that hydrophilic (wettable) surfaces with low contact angle hysteresis can further increase the heat transfer coefficient, potentially leading to heat transfer processes with higher effectiveness. Despite this potential, the ability of such surfaces to sustain enhanced DWC without flooding remains unclear. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms governing the transition from DWC to FWC, which is likely to occur on hydrophilic surfaces, remain poorly understood. While some studies have addressed this phenomenon, conclusive findings are still lacking.

This paper aims to address these unclear aspects of DWC by investigating pure steam condensation on samples with varying wettability at a constant saturation temperature (107 °C) while adjusting the coolant medium temperature from 20 °C to 95 °C. Heat transfer measurements and high-speed imaging were employed to provide a detailed analysis of how the saturation-to-wall temperature difference, and consequently heat flux, affects the condensation mode. The results demonstrate that DWC can be effectively sustained on hydrophilic surfaces with enhanced droplet mobility, achieving HTC values up to 70 % higher than those observed for DWC on hydrophobic surfaces. However, on hydrophilic surfaces, the transition from DWC to FWC occurs at lower wall subcooling values. As a further step, a simplified model for predicting the condensation mode and the heat flux during DWC is proposed and validated using the present experimental data. The model is found to accurately predict the effect of surface wettability and subcooling on the dropwise condensation HTC, with a mean deviation between calculated and measured values lower than 12 %. Furthermore, the model enables the successful identification of the subcooling range over which DWC can be sustained, based on the surface properties and operating conditions.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127128

Journal article2025

Passive Ice Protection Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Applications: A Review

Facco L, Parin R, Basso M, Martucci A, Colusso E

Riccardo Parin

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are promising platforms for operations in alpine regions due to their compact size, advanced camera systems, and ability to take off and land in confined areas. In such conditions, one of the most significant challenges for UAVs is operating in icing environments, as ice accretion can compromise the aerodynamics of the propellers and can potentially lead fto a loss of control and vehicle failure. To date, active de-icing solutions, such as electrothermal systems, have been employed in the aeronautical sector; however, these systems are energy-intensive. This review addresses passive ice protection systems from a material science prospective, by focusing on coatings which mitigate ice formation without energy consumption. A comprehensive description of the strategies to design an icephobic surface is presented and the state-of-the-art icephobic coatings are analyzed, such as superhydrophobic surfaces, elastomers, liquid infused surfaces, gels, polyelectrolytes, sol gel coatings, metal-organic frameworks. A key focus is devoted to the characterizations for assessing ice mitigation of such coatings, i.e., contact angle and hysteresis measurements, and to the correlation between durability and number of icing and de-icing cycles. The most relevant solutions for aerial vehicles are described in the final part of this review.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202412465

Conference proceedings article2024

Chill or Warmth: Exploring Temperature’s Impact on Interpersonal Boundaries in VR

Battistel L, Gottsacker M, Bruder G, Welch G, Parin R, Zampini M

Riccardo Parin, Laura Battistel

This position paper outlines a study on the influence of avatars displaying warmth or coldness cues on interpersonal space in virtualreality. Participants will engage in a comfort-distance task, approaching avatars exhibiting thermoregulatory behaviors. Anticipated findings include a reduction in interpersonal distance with warm cuesand an increase with cold cues. The study will offer insights into the complex interplay between temperature, social perception, and interpersonal space.

DOI

DOI: 10.1109/VRW62533.2024.00121

Journal article2024

Drones reduce the time to defibrillation in a highly visited non-urban area: A randomized simulation-based trial

van Veelen M, Vinetti G, Dal Cappello T, Eisendle F, Mejia-Aguilar A, Parin R, Oberhammer R, Falla M,

Tomas Dal Cappello, Giovanni Vinetti, Riccardo Parin, Marika Falla, Giacomo Strapazzon

Progetto: Trasporto mediante droni di defibrillatori automatici esterni (DAE) in aree montane

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has a high global incidence and mortality rate, with early defibrillation significantly improving survival. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of autonomous drone delivery of automated external defibrillators (AED) in a non-urban area with physical barriers and compare the time to defibrillate (TTD) with bystander retrieval from a public access defibrillator (PAD) point and helicopter emergencymedical services (HEMS) physician performed defibrillation.
Methods: This randomized simulation-based trial with a cross-over design included bystanders performing AED retrievals either delivered by automated drone flight or on foot from a PAD point, and simulated HEMS interventions. The primary outcome was the time to defibrillation, with secondary outcomes comparing workload, perceived physical effort, and ease of use.
Results: Thirty-six simulations were performed. Drone-delivered AED intervention had a significantly shorter
TTD [2.2 (95 % CI 2.0–2.3) min] compared to PAD retrieval [12.4 (95 % CI 10.4–14.4) min] and HEMS [18.2
(95 % CI 17.1–19.2) min].
The self-reported physical effort on a visual analogue scale for drone-delivered AED was significantly lower versus PAD [2.5 (1 – 22) mm vs. 81 (65–99) mm, p = 0.02]. The overall mean workload measured by NASA-TLX was also significantly lower for drone delivery compared to PAD [4.3 (1.2–11.7) vs. 11.9 (5.5–14.5), p = 0.018].
Conclusion: The use of drones for automated AED delivery in a non-urban area with physical barriers is feasible and leads to a shorter time to defibrillation. Drone-delivered AEDs also involve a lower workload and perceived physical effort than AED retrieval on foot.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.09.036

Journal article2024

Ground, Ceiling and Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments

David Du Mutel de Pierrepont Franzetti I, Parin R, Capello E, Rutherford MJ, Valavanis KP

Riccardo Parin

Multicopters are used for a wide range of applications that often involve approaching buildings or navigating enclosed spaces. Opposed to the open spaces in obstacle-free environments commonly flown by fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, multicopters frequently fly close to surfaces and must take into account the airflow variations caused by airflow rebound. Such disturbances must be identified in order to design algorithms capable of compensating them. The evaluation of ground, ceiling and wall effects using two different test stands is proposed in this work. Different propellers and sensors have been considered for testing. The first test setup used was placed inside terraXcube’s large climatic chamber allowing a precise control of temperature and pressure of around 20°C and 1000 hPa, respectively. The second test setup is located at the University of Denver (DU) Unmanned Systems Research Institute (DU2SRI) laboratory with a stable pressure of around 800 hPa. Two different fixed 6 degrees of freedom force-torque sensors have been used for the experiments, allowing to sample forces and moments in three orthogonal axes. The tests simulate a hovering situation of a quadcopter at different distances to either the ground, the ceiling or a wall. The influence of the propeller size, rotation speed, pressure and temperature have also been considered and used for later dimensionless coefficient comparison. A thorough analysis of the measurement uncertainty is also included based on experimental evaluations and manufacturer information. Experimental data collected in these tests can be used for the definition of a mathematical model in which the effect of the proximity to the different surfaces is evaluated.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1007/s10846-024-02155-7

Journal article2024

Investigating the validity of the hue-heat effect on thermal sensitivity

Battistel L, Zandonella Callegher C, Zampini M, Parin R

Riccardo Parin, Claudio Zandonella Callegher, Laura Battistel

In this study, we aimed to investigate the validity of the hue-heat effect on the body thermal sensitivity. Previous research on thermal comfort has proposed associations between red and warmth, and blue with cold. However, inconsistencies in confirming this effect have arisen, with studies often relying on subjective scales for thermal comfort assessment, introducing potential confounding variables. To overcome these limitations, we conducted a study focusing on the hue-heat effect within the domain of thermal sensitivity, providing a more objective measurement of thermal perception. Participants (n = 26) were required to compare the perceived temperatures inside different climate chambers lighted by either red or blue lights following two different paradigms. In the congruent paradigm, the warmest chamber was lighted by red lights, while the coldest chamber had blue lights. On the contrary, the incongruent condition featured the warmest chamber with blue lights and the coldest chamber with red lights, thereby violating the hue-heat effect. We found comparable performance in both conditions, challenging the hypothesis that congruence between colour and temperature enhances thermal perception. Notably, some participants aligned with our hypothesis, while others exhibited opposing behaviour, highlighting the potentially subjective nature of the hue-heat effect. Furthermore, we compared the present results with our previous data without the added stimuli of the lights. Surprisingly, the sensitivity observed in this experiment was even lower than the one measured in our previous study (p-value < 0.0001), suggesting that the colour of the lights might have increased participants’ cognitive load, leading to a decline in their performance.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71784-7

Conference proceedings article2024

Modelling of Ground and Ceiling Effects for Quadcopters Based on Experimental Data

David Du Mutel de Pierrepont Franzetti I, Parin R, Carminati D, Capello E

Riccardo Parin

This work is focused on the identification of a model based on experimental results for ground and ceiling effects for small scale quadrotors. Experiments are conducted using a fixed test bed and a force-torque sensor that measures the total thrust of a quadcopter when placed at different distances from horizontal surfaces. Two propeller sizes (10"x4.7" and 12"x5") are considered at constant pressure and temperature conditions of 1000 mbar and 20°C, respectively. Two different modelling approaches are proposed: an exponential parametric curve fitting method and a Gaussian Process regression method. Results are compared to ground effect models present in literature. We present novel ground and ceiling parametric models in which the out-of-ground/out-of-ceiling thrust is explicitly modelled. Moreover, an approach based on Gaussian process regression is explored, showing its potential for UAV applications.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1109/ICUAS60882.2024.10557056

Conference proceedings article2023

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Experimental Characterization in Controlled Extreme Environmental Conditions

Parin R, Bojeri A, Benedetto F, Ristorto G, Guglieri G

Riccardo Parin

The employment of drones in extremely harsh environmental conditions is the main challenge of flight operations in the Alpine scenario. Characterizing the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) performance in a controlled simulated environment is crucial to defining the atmospheric condition limits for safe operations. Following the experiments performed previously in the same project, we performed a series of tests at different simulated altitudes (from ground level up to 9000 m) and with different payloads (from 0 kg up to 4 kg) assessing the efficiency of the drones. The test campaign performed in a simulated standard Alpine mountain context led to define the boundaries for planning a safe flight in a such harsh and challenging environment.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1109/ICUAS57906.2023.10155932

Conference proceedings article2023

Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments

David Du Mutel de Pierrepont Franzetti I, Parin R, Capello E

Riccardo Parin

Multicopters are used for a wide range of applications that often involve approaching buildings or navigating enclosed spaces. Opposed to the freedom found in outdoor flights, indoor UAVs navigating close to surfaces must take into account the airflow variations caused by its rebound and identify them as disturbances to be compensated. A custom made quadcopter has been built for the evaluation of wall effect in climate controlled environments. Two different propeller sizes have been considered for testing.Climate variations consisting in changes of pressure, from 1000 mbar up to the equivalent pressure attained at 5000 m. A fixed 6DOF load cell has been used for the experiments, being able to log forces and moments in three orthogonal axes. The tests simulate a hovering UAV at different wall distances. The influence of the propeller size and air density on the wall effect has been also measured. Experimental data will be used for the definition of a mathematical model, in which the wall effect is considered.

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1109/ICUAS57906.2023.10156365

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Journal article2025

Dropwise-to-filmwise transition during condensation of steam on hydrophilic surfaces

Tancon M, Abbatecola A, Bortolin S, Facco L, Parin R, Del Col D

Riccardo Parin

DOI Fonte

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127128

Riccardo Parin

About

Scientific Publications

Passively Cooled Paint-Like Coatings for Atmospheric Water Capture

1st International Workshop on Real and Virtual Spaces Influences (ReViSI)

Characterization of the Spray System of the TerraXcube Icing Wind Tunnel

Dropwise-to-filmwise transition during condensation of steam on hydrophilic surfaces

Passive Ice Protection Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Applications: A Review

Chill or Warmth: Exploring Temperature’s Impact on Interpersonal Boundaries in VR

Drones reduce the time to defibrillation in a highly visited non-urban area: A randomized simulation-based trial

Ground, Ceiling and Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments

Investigating the validity of the hue-heat effect on thermal sensitivity

Modelling of Ground and Ceiling Effects for Quadcopters Based on Experimental Data

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Experimental Characterization in Controlled Extreme Environmental Conditions

Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments

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Scientific Publications

Passively Cooled Paint-Like Coatings for Atmospheric Water Capture

1st International Workshop on Real and Virtual Spaces Influences (ReViSI)

Characterization of the Spray System of the TerraXcube Icing Wind Tunnel

Dropwise-to-filmwise transition during condensation of steam on hydrophilic surfaces

Passive Ice Protection Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Applications: A Review

Chill or Warmth: Exploring Temperature’s Impact on Interpersonal Boundaries in VR

Drones reduce the time to defibrillation in a highly visited non-urban area: A randomized simulation-based trial

Ground, Ceiling and Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments

Investigating the validity of the hue-heat effect on thermal sensitivity

Modelling of Ground and Ceiling Effects for Quadcopters Based on Experimental Data

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Experimental Characterization in Controlled Extreme Environmental Conditions

Wall Effect Evaluation of Small Quadcopters in Pressure-controlled Environments